On October 5, 2018, around 9:45 AM, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the 13000 block of Dandrea Drive in Pine Flats, Mayer, regarding a just occurred burglary. The victim, who was not home at the time, learned from neighbors that unknown suspects committed a burglary at his home around midnight.
The neighbors saw a black extended cab pickup which they believed was the suspect vehicle. The victim was also told a window in the home had apparently been broken and blood left at the scene. The victim noted several firearms were kept in the home and was concerned they may have been stolen. During the initial call to Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO), the victim relayed that he spotted a black truck parked on the side of County Road 177, 9 miles from the Mayer cemetery, and currently occupied by a man with bandages on his arms.
Deputies arrived in the area and found the suspect vehicle running with man in the driver’s seat. He was detained without incident and identified as 35-year-old Jacob Mechetner from Goodyear, AZ. Jacob admitted to breaking into the victim’s home, cutting his hand on a broken window, and remaining inside for a couple of hours. Jacob acknowledged taking cash, a flashlight, tools, and a car battery because he need to jump start his truck. Jacob was also in possession of methamphetamine.
Deputies returned to the home and contacted the victim who explained his house was completely ransacked and several items had been damaged. It also appeared the suspect had stacked items, including firearms and ammunition, near the front door as if intending to return and steal additional property. There were more firearms found in the home that had been removed from a gun cabinet the suspect apparently accessed with a key found in the home. The victim noted several firearm magazines normally kept empty, were now loaded. Deputies found points of forced entry including the broken window with blood spatter.
Another victim came forward who resides on E Gold Hill Trail, Mayer. A shed on her property had been broken into and the latch that held the door shut was missing. Some tools were gone and she also discovered a light had been taken off a dune buggy parked nearby.
All stolen property was recovered. Jacob was treated by fire personnel and then booked into the Camp Verde Detention on charges including Burglary, Trespassing, Possession of a Dangerous Drug, Theft, and Criminal Damage. He remains in-custody on a $10,000 bond.